FORD MOTOR COMPANY 
For more than 100 years, automobile design at Ford has told the story of where the company has been, where it wants to go, and how Ford has democratized automobile travel with quality cars people can relate to, aspire to and own.
From the beginning, Ford has defined and redefined what appeals to consumers by tapping into their needs, desires and preferences. It all started with the Model T - a vehicle that sparked a revolution in mobility and manufacturing. Fast forward to the 21st century and the debut of the Ford Fusion, a midsize sedan acclaimed for its accessible style. With the all-new 2015 F-150, Ford introduced a never-before-seen aluminum-alloy body in a production vehicle. And with its all-new Ford GT, Ford has redefined the American supercar.
Today, as Ford celebrates the 80th anniversary of its Design Studio, it also recognizes the talents of its designers around the world. Earlier this year, Ford challenged its designers to apply their innovative thinking outside the "automotive box" by creating non-automotive objects inspired by the interior philosophy of the all-new Ford GT. These objects were featured in Milan, Italy, in April at the largest design show in the world, and are now on display at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn.
The following timeline highlights milestones in Ford's design story, and the innovations developed by the company to enhance the driving experience for the masses.
Model T- The Tin Lizzie (1908)
The Model T was a car designed for the common man. With the use of the assembly line, mass production of the Model T led to affordable prices that made owning a car a reality for many Americans. However, with the focus being strictly mobility, little thought was given to design- in fact the Model T was only offered in one color- black.
Lincoln Zephyr- Streamlined Sophistication (1937)
One of the first designs produced in the Ford Design department, the Lincoln Zephyr combined revolutionary aerodynamics with sleek styling. The 1937 model was the first to incorporate a horizontal grille which remains an icon of Lincoln models today .
F-Series- Ford Gets Tough (1948)
The birth of the F-Series was the beginning of a durable truck with smooth body contours, integrated headlights, and large cab in back. It was designed to carry and tow large cargo and offered the option of two different engines.
1949 Ford- Styling a new Era (1949)
The 1949 Ford was the first new design to be revealed post World War II. It incorporated new styling such as integrated fenders, chrome trim, slab sides and the spinner center grille that echoed aviation design. The 1949 Ford not only marked the comeback of the American automobile industry after the war, but also a new era at Ford as Henry Ford II took leadership of the company.
Thunderbird- Recreational Driving (1955)
With its stylish steel body and V8 engine, the Thunderbird was designed to be a "personal" car in contrast to the sports car trend of the time. With detailing like the continental extra tire and its iconic porthole window, the Thunderbird was often called the most charismatic car to emerge from Detroit.
Lincoln Continental- International Style (1964)
The Lincoln Continental brought European style to the all-American aesthetic of Ford Motor Company. Designed originally as a personal car for Edsel Ford, its stylish fins, chrome accents and jet engine intakes caught so much attention that it was eventually put into production. In 1964 it was lengthened to better accentuate its elegant lines.
Mustang- America's Pony Car (1964)
Born the same year as the mini-skirt, the Mustang was designed to satiate the rebellious generation's craving for a car that pushed boundaries. From base model to fully-loaded with all the bells and whistles, the Mustang was designed to fit anyone's budget and personal taste.
GT40 MkII-The American Supercar (1966)
Designed to beat Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France, the design of the GT40 MkII included a new quick-change technique allowing disc brakes to be changed in a mere five minutes. The GT40 MkII captured first, second and third place that year.
Taurus- The Rounded Edge Revolution (1986)
Before the Taurus was introduced, global car design trends favored boxy designs with squared fronts and rear ends. The Taurus broke that trend with a soft sculpted shape and improved aerodynamics. The Taurus was so popular it quickly became the country's number one selling vehicle and soon made up 25% of Ford's North American sales.
Explorer-Spirit of Adventure (1991)
The Ford Explorer arrived on the scene at a time when comfort, size and durability ruled the American roadways. The model helped popularize the sport utility vehicle and appealed to those who craved adventure.
24/7 Concept (2000)
The 24/7 concept car introduced the use of apps a decade before smartphones became commonplace. Its touchscreen dashboard had a series of icons that allowed easy access to phone contacts, the internet, and a navigation system that could be used through voice recognition technology.
Iosis Concept-Kinetic Design (2006)
The Ford Iosis was a concept car that exemplified the idea of Ford Kinetic design. Developed by Ford of Europe, it shows "energy in motion" through the use of lightweight materials and advanced aerodynamics including rear door pillars and wing design.
Focus Electric- Focusing on Sustainability (2011)
The environmentally friendly 2011 Focus Electric was designed as a zero-emissions hatchback, featuring an electric motor and 23-kWh battery that could travel up to 100 miles when fully charged. The design echoed the original Focus but with improved aerodynamics and updated front-end design.
Fusion- Aspirational Design (2013)
The 2013 Fusion brought sophistication to the midsize sedan with its sweeping lines and spacious interior. It was the first to replace the "three-box" system that had become synonymous with midsize sedans. Fusion was also among the first to offer EcoBoost®, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid options.
Aluminum Body F-150 - Toughest, Smartest, Most Capable F-150 (2015)
The all-new 2015 Ford F-150 introduced a new aluminum body to the Ford lineup. The military-grade aluminum reduces the trucks' weight by up to 700 pounds allowing it to be more agile and fuel efficient while making it more durable and powerful than previous models.
GT- Innovation through Performance
The all-new Ford GT is an ultra-high performance supercar that serves as a technology showcase for top EcoBoost® performance, aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fiber construction. With the GT, Ford returned this year to the most prestigious 24-hour endurance race in the world, the 24 Hours of LeMans.
Ford Design Department Established (1935)
Edsel Ford was as passionate about car design as his father, Henry Ford, was about efficient automobile production. Edsel founded the Ford Design Department in 1935 to create cars that were as aesthetically pleasing as they were functional.
Ford's First Designer (1935)
E.T. "Bob" Gregorie was the first designer hired by Edsel Ford. Gregorie used his prior experience as a shipbuilder to improve the design process of the automobile. He introduced the styling bridge, a U-shaped structure that rode on a series of parallel rails. This technology helped gather coordinates of the models to be replicated with precision on other models.
The Soybean Car (1941)
Henry Ford combined his background in agriculture with his love for automotive business when he created the Soybean Car. In response to a metal shortage at the time, Henry developed a new plastic car made of soybeans, flax and other natural materials that improved durability and was 1,000 pounds lighter than traditional steel models.
Pearlescent Paint (1955)
Ford gained a whole new sheen in 1955 when the company coated the Futura concept car with pearlescent paint. Ford was among the first to show off this new paint technique, which consisted of adding crushed pearls to paint.
Lifeguard System (1956)
In 1956 Ford developed its Lifeguard System, designed to reduce occupant injuries. The five-part system included the first safety belts, improved safety door latches, padded instrument panel and sun visors, as well as an energy-absorbing steering wheel that slowly gave way under impact.
Retractable Hard Top (1957)
Hard-top convertibles were not new in 1957, but the hassle of removing and storing the top had quickly become old news. Ford designed a hard top that electronically folded into the trunk for convenient storage, retracting in a mere 40 seconds.
Envisioning the Future of GPS (1964)
Ford took a first stab at navigation systems in 1964, revealing the Aurora concept car with a map that automatically adjusted to the vehicle's location. Ford's introduction of this technology came nearly 30 years before the first navigation system for automobiles was produced.
Mimi Vandermolen (1970)
In 1970Mimi Vandermolen was among the first women to join the previously male-dominated Ford Design Department. Vandermolen led design of the Ford Taurus interior, as well as the Ford Probe, and is credited with introducing ergonomics to automotive design.
Power Sunroof (1971)
Ford modernized its sunroof, turning the once manual feature into a power one in 1971. The power sunroof meant sunlight and extra venilation were now conveniently accessible at the push of a button.
Keyless Entry (1980)
In 1980Ford introduced the keyless entry system, which consisted of five buttons on the driver's side door that unlocked the car when the PIN was entered by the driver.
Cupholders (1984)
The need for a cupholder originated in the 1950s as America's drive-in restaurants and movie theaters gained popularity. Nearly 30 years later, Ford Motor Company incorporated the first cupholder into the 1984 Bronco, and the feature has been a mainstay of car design ever since.
Supercharging Prototyping (1988)
Ford's continued improvement to its design process saw a major enhancement in 1988 when the company purchased the third 3D printer ever created. Since then, 3D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing, with parts that once took six weeks to build now being produced in a matter of days.
Soft-Touch Interior Paint (1993)
With hopes of maintaining the pristine look of a new car, Ford designers developed soft-touch interior paint in the early 1990s. The new paint was applied to a vehicle's center console and radio buttons to help the features withstand up to 10,000 abrasions from fingernails and keys.
SYNC (2007)
Theintegrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system, Ford SYNC, made its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. SYNC allows drivers to make calls and control music selection and other functions via voice command.
Easy Fuel technology (2007)
Ford simplified the process for customers needing to fill up their fuel tank with the introduction of its Easy Fuel® capless fuel filler technology. The absence of the gas cap allows for quick refills, and the spring-loaded fuel filler closes upon the nozzle being removed, in turn preventing fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere.
Industry-First Two-Wet Monocoat Paint (2014)
In 2014 Ford began using a two-wet monocoat paint technique that not only improves the lifespan of the paint, it annually uses 9,500 fewer carbon dioxide emissions, and saves 10.5 million gallons of water and enough electricity to power 3,400 homes.
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